Republicans condemn Buncombe official's TV comments

AP

Published: Friday, October 25, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 11:47 p.m.

RALEIGH (AP) — A North Carolina county Republican Party official is resigning after GOP leaders criticized him over comments he made on "The Daily Show" about the new law requiring photo identification to vote.

Buncombe County precinct chairman Don Yelton said in a brief interview Thursday that he's stepping down.

State party chairman Claude Pope said Yelton's comments airing Wednesday on the Comedy Central show were "completely inappropriate and highly offensive" and Yelton didn't speak for the party.

Yelton said the voter ID law "is going to kick the Democrats in the butt" and was OK if it meant some college students or white or black people wouldn't vote when it takes effect.

Pope and the Buncombe GOP chairman had threatened removal proceedings against Yelton if he didn't resign.

<p>RALEIGH (AP) — A North Carolina county Republican Party official is resigning after GOP leaders criticized him over comments he made on "The Daily Show" about the new law requiring photo identification to vote.</p><p>Buncombe County precinct chairman Don Yelton said in a brief interview Thursday that he's stepping down.</p><p>State party chairman Claude Pope said Yelton's comments airing Wednesday on the Comedy Central show were "completely inappropriate and highly offensive" and Yelton didn't speak for the party.</p><p>Yelton said the voter ID law "is going to kick the Democrats in the butt" and was OK if it meant some college students or white or black people wouldn't vote when it takes effect.</p><p>Pope and the Buncombe GOP chairman had threatened removal proceedings against Yelton if he didn't resign.</p>